Save the Tree! Tips for Pet-Proofing Your Christmas Tree

You’re torn. You want to get into the full swing of the Christmas season and put up a tree. However, you’re unsure if your pet will wreck the tree before Christmas comes calling or if it’s safe for your pet to be around your festive decor. No worries, because you can have your cake and eat it too with these ways you can pet-proof your Christmas tree for a safe and festive holiday season with your furry pals!

Invest in Artificial Trees

When it comes to your Christmas tree, getting an artificial tree is better because they tend to be less attractive to dogs and cats, and also less harmful for your pets should they try to chew on the leaves. You should also make sure that it’s stable and not too small and light. You can secure it to the ground with ropes a good base so that in the event your cat leaps for it or your dog decides to high five it, your tree won’t be felled.

What Goes Where

It’s best to place your tree in a room that your pet doesn’t often frequent and then close the door when no one is home. If not, put up a fence around it when no one is home to prevent your pet from wreaking havoc while you’re gone. You also shouldn’t position it next to any furniture that your cat can use as a launching pad to project itself onto the tree. While putting presents under the tree might complete the traditional sentiment, it isn’t recommended as your pet may get to them and what’s inside the wrapping paper may injure or be toxic to them.

Diligent Decoration

One trick is to leave your tree bare for a few days so that your pet decides that it isn’t anything worth nipping at. After that, don’t decorate your tree in front of your pet as all the ornaments being moved about might seem like a game to them! Hang dangling and more fragile ornaments higher up and out of reach, and avoid breakable baubles if possible.

You can also try pet safe alternatives for Christmas tree decorations such as paper and cardboard dipped in food dye. Shiny ornaments are especially attractive to cats so steer clear of those. You can, however, add bells throughout your tree so that you’ll get ample warning if your pets decide to go for it.

Power Down

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If you’d like lights on your tree, try to go for battery operated ones. If you do have electric lights, ensure that the wires are covered with chew-proof plastic or taped away from your pet’s reach. You wouldn’t want your pet to get electrocuted! You should also turn off the power whenever it’s not in use.

Away, doggo!

Another method you might want to try is deterring your pet. Using smells like citronella or textures like tin foil that you know they dislike, ward them away from the tree altogether. Whether you’re spraying your tree with scents, erecting a tin foil defense or creating a barrier of their most disliked things, you can try to bar your pet from even thinking about coming near your Christmas tree.

Armed with these tips, it’s possible to save your Christmas tree from your pet’s fascination with massacring beautiful things as well as keep your pet safe from any dangers the tree might pose to them. Do remember to check the components of your decor and tree beforehand to prevent any accidents should they not be pet-friendly!